Samuel Hrenak, an 18-year-old goaltender from Povazska Bystrica, Slovakia, was selected by the Winnipeg Jets in the third round, 71st overall, in the 2026 NHL Draft. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound goalie spent his draft season splitting time between Slovak junior hockey and a stint with the Fargo Force of the USHL, where he went 7-1-1 with a .918 save percentage in nine games.
Goaltending runs in the Hrenak family. Samuel is the youngest of three hockey-playing brothers — Dávid Hrenák, an older brother who was drafted into the NHL pipeline himself, still mentors him after games, alongside another brother, Marko.
Hrenak’s best moment of the season came on the international stage. He helped Slovakia win silver at the U18 World Championship, going 4-1-0 with a 1.62 GAA and .925 save percentage across five games — performances that helped push him to a No. 9 ranking among North American goaltenders by NHL Central Scouting.
Scouts describe him as relentless in the crease, with quick feet that let him recover to plays even when he’s a beat late on his initial read. He’s grown increasingly confident reading backdoor plays in particular, and his athleticism lets him extend and make those saves consistently rather than just getting a piece of the puck.
Stats and info via EliteProspects.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What team drafted Samuel Hrenak?
Samuel Hrenak was selected by the Winnipeg Jets in the third round, 71st overall, in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Does Samuel Hrenak have hockey-playing brothers?
Yes — he’s the youngest of three goaltending brothers, including Dávid Hrenák, who reached the NHL pipeline and still mentors him.
What did Samuel Hrenak accomplish internationally?
He helped Slovakia win the silver medal at the 2026 U18 World Championship, posting a 1.62 GAA and .925 save percentage.
What team did Samuel Hrenak play for before the draft?
He split his season between Slovak junior hockey and the Fargo Force of the USHL, going 7-1-1 with Fargo.
How tall is Samuel Hrenak?
He stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 190 pounds, and catches left-handed.
